[gennee]

This year, 2009, will be a pivotal year for the LGBT community. Many gains have been made but more will need to be done. I'm pleased how the election turned out but it's only the beginning. Grassroots organizations will ned tobe created to reach constituents and those who we seek to influence. More young people are getting involved in the movement and I'm please to see this.

I am involved with an organization looking to create an independent media which highlights the needs of poor and workng people. No government money or grants from a foundation. It's TOTALLY independent supported by volunteers. It's something that being built from the ground up.

There are people who are making their voices heard. We need to talk to our friends, neighbors, legislators, school administrations, legal professionals, and businesses about the need for equality for LGBT people. This is just an overview but in the coming weeks l will be more specific about some areas of concern among us.

Gennee

[wik]

Gennee,

This sounds like a fascinating project. Are you planning to do it online, in print, or both?

[gennee]

We go out into the community and share what we have . The organization is called the Womens Press Collective. Men and women volunteer because they are concerned that mainstream media is not concerned about the needs of the ppor and woking class people. Member learn such things as desk top publishing, writing, printing. systemic orgainizing, and article writing.

Many organizations learn the basics of these discplines free of charge. Womens Press publishes a quarterly magazine called Collective Endeavor. All the articles are written and submitted by voulnteers. Subjects that have bee covered are the plight of home healt aides, women in prison, the coup that happened in Venezuela in 2003, and gentrification in neighborhoods of color.

Womens Press collective doesn't have a website but that may come in the future. There is training for people who wish to be part time or full time organizers. Systemic organizing is not a new concept. It dates back to the civil rights movement. The skills learned are transferable to anywhere. I have thought about this in regards to creating an independent lgbt newspaper or magazine. I believe that systemic organizing can be used to create a different education and medical system.

I've said quite a bit but I believe in what we are doing.

Gennee